Hi Marg and Mia
Well I will tell my feelings and thoughts for what it's worth. I understand what you speak of and I understand the compassion within also. I spent to many years living alone so that my only friend was my imagination. In the beginning starting from childhood there were two of me that emerged from imagination and we were best of friends. I never gave gender differences much of a thought back then, except maybe occasionally in fantasy, but never entered my mind in real life.
There were just simply me and me. We always discussed things before I went ahead and did anything. I believe that in the process of discovering who I am was just as much of a spiritual experience as it was discovering my gender dysphoria or GID. I at this point must mention this ghost friend I had since childhood, her name is Casandra. So I did have a female persona after all but she was not the same entity as my other me, they were separate. Casandra has been with me since I was 9 years old, kind of like a guardian angel. She saved my Soul mate's and I's life from a fatal car accident last year.
My van had been struck from the rear by a half ton truck at an intersection while we were waiting for the lights to change. The rear end of the van had been pushed to the back of the front seats. We both walked out of that without a scratch. She also saved our lives a few weeks later when our apartment had been burglarized the thieves were armed with my soul mated guns, fortunately they just decided to move on. So yes I have a very strong faith and respect for maters that are spiritual.
In the earlier part of my life I kept messing up because I wouldn't listen to the little voice of the other me within. Once I did start listening to that little voice within, things began to happen, positive things. Every day was a new discovery. About 8 years ago I decided to go full time in the female gender and even went through the surgery four years ago.
But you know something? I am still me and the other me didn't leave and is still with me to this day. I would never want that inner voice to go away. Even though I now have a wonderful relationship with another T girl it hasn't changed who I am inside, an a lot happier me though. My Soul mate and I's relationships has nothing to do with things sexual it purely intimacy.
Now I wouldn't be talking about these things out there for they would be preparing a nice bed for me in the neighborhood bug house to be sure.
Cindy